Today, I've got a special treat. We're looking at Messier: Hockey's Dragon Slayer by Rick Carpiniello.

Now, I am a big fan of Messier, and have been his entire career. This book sums it up pretty well.

His playing days in Edmonton, with Gretzky, are touched on briefly, as well as the Gretzky trade itself. Winning another Stanley Cup after Gretzky was traded is also briefly talked about.

The book is most in depth when talking about Messier's days with the New York Rangers. That's both an up and down side. It highlights the slow but steady movement towards winning the 1994 Stanley Cup, but it also limits what was a stellar career and only shows off a few seasons.

All in all, I must say, getting an inside look at what it was like being around Messier and his Rangers teammates on the way to winning the Cup, plus all the partying after winning it, is a lot of fun.

The book also goes into the negotiation time with the Rangers, and ultimately with his post-NY Rangers days.

I would say that this book definitely captures the spirit that is Mark Messier, and definitely shows why many believe him to be, if not the best, then definitely one of the best captains of all time in the NHL.

Link to Powell's City of Books: http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780965384698-4

Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Messier-Hockeys-Dragon-Rick-Carpiniello/dp/0965384691/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359071085&sr=1-1&keywords=messier%3A+Hockey%27s+dragon+slayer

Link to Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/messier-rick-carpiniello/1003568186?ean=9780965384698